Why? First, the normal curve provides us with a basis for understanding the probability associated with any possible outcome (such as the chance of getting a certain score on a test or the chance of a coin flip coming up “heads”). Second, the study of probability is the basis for determining the degree of confidence we have in stating that a particular finding or outcome is “true.” Or, better said, that an outcome (like an average score) may not have occurred due to chance alone.
